Are you into metalwork? If so, you will agree that making clean, quick, and smooth cuts are essential to the success of your job or project. Welding has evolved over the years, and a tool that has helped many professionals and can help you is a plasma cutter. This tool offers unique advantages in any workshop and can elevate the quality of your job. A plasma cutter is an ionized gas torch that burns at intense heat. It then melts metal surfaces or any electrically conductive surface to make a clean incision.

There are many plasma cutters on the market today. They come with special features and carry out specific functions. Due to a large number of these cutters, choosing the right one can be a challenge. If you do not know what to look for, the things you require, you might end up making the wrong choice. To prevent that, we have gone through hundreds of reviews to arrive at the best plasma cutters under $500. In this article, we have provided a list of the best cheap plasma cutters. We have also made a buyer’s guide to help you know the important stuff to look out for when buying plasma cutters.

Features to Consider in Cheap Plasma Cutters

Since the market is full of cheap plasma cutters, it can be hard choosing the right one. In this section, we have compiled some of the essential factors to consider when buying plasma cutters. These factors are briefly discussed here and will be discussed in greater detail in the main buyer’s guide. Here are the important factors to consider:

Input Power

Without sufficient power, your plasma cutter will not work efficiently. Many plasma cutters require a high amount of electricity to function. In most cases, they are usually designed for 110V power outlets or 220V power outlets.

Duty Cycle

The duty cycle refers to the length of time a plasma cutter can safely work without stopping. This factor is usually influenced by the amperage output rating of the plasma cutter

Cutting Speed

The cutting speed is specified on the packaging of the plasma cutter. This factor is important and refers to the quality and speed of the cut delivered by the plasma cutter.

Start

Plasma cutters have two kinds of starts: contact start and high-frequency start. The choice you make depends on the environment you will be using the plasma cutter, among other things.

Air supply

The type of air used to power the plasma cutter should be considered before buying a plasma cutter. You need to consider the means of supplying the air and other related factors.

Ease of use

You do not want to buy a plasma cutter that doesn’t have clear instructions, and that gives you a hard time before it can be operated.

Portability

This factor is an essential consideration if you are going to be moving from site to site with the plasma cutter. If it is not portable, moving it from place to place can be a chore.

These are just a few of the vital factors to consider when buying a plasma cutter. As you read the reviews below, look out for how the products tick all these critical factors. Later, you will discover the main buyer’s guide that discusses these factors and more in detail.

Here are the ten best plasma cutters under $500.

Top 10 Best Cheap Plasma Cutters 2024 (Under $500)

1. Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Plasma Cutter

Design
The Lotos LTP5000D comes in a portable and compact design that makes it very easy to use. It comes at a weight that is easy to handle and carry around to wherever you require it. It does not even weigh up to 23 pounds, which makes it super-portable. To assist you to carry it around, it comes with a well-constructed handle at the top.

Durability
During testing, we noted how durable this plasma cutter is. And we are not alone in noting the durability. Many users who have bought it for many years attest to the longevity and consistent performance over the years. Although it comes at a relatively low price, this is not reflected in the durability.

Performance and Ease of Use
The Lotos is very easy to use. If you are a beginner, you will love using this cutter. Instructions are easy to follow, and all the necessary controls are clearly labeled. It doesn’t take a long time before users get the hang of the plasma cutter.

The plasma cutter comes with Pilot ARC function. What does this do? It ensures that the plasma cutter cuts through metal and other surfaces easily while producing a minimal amount of slag. This implies that your cuts are clean and better. It is a non-touch plasma cutter; the tip doesn’t touch the metal. The MOSFET transistors ensure plenty of energy for cutting dense metal. If you are looking for a plasma cutter for your next DIY project, look no further than the Lotos LTP5000D.

2. Forney Easy Weld Plasma Cutter

Design
The Forney Easy Weld plasma cutter comes in a compact and durable casing. Although it is not as compact or light as the Lotos LTP5000D, it still comes at a portable enough design. You can carry it along with you to jobs. The metal casing is very strong and ensures durability despite harsh treatment.

Performance and Ease of Use
This plasma cutter is one of the easiest cutters to use. It is very convenient and doesn’t require any complicated procedures before being used. You do not have to adjust any gas pressure settings or preheat the metal. It is simply plug and use.

It is not as powerful as the Lotos LTP5000D since it comes with a 120 volt and 20-amp output. It cuts anything ¼” and lower with ease. However, if the thickness is above ¼”, it will struggle to perform. If you require a plasma cutter for metals less than ¼”, then this is an ideal choice. It is a contact cutter, that is, you need to bring it in contact with the metal being cut.

It is a versatile plasma cutter and allows the use of extensions.

3. SUPER DEAL DC Inverter Plasma Cutter

Design
The Super Deal DC inverter plasma cutter comes in a durable, compact housing. It is made from not ordinary iron, but from heavy-duty iron. Therefore, even if you accidentally drop stuff on it, it will not get easily damaged. The construction is solid and promises years of functionality and consistent performance.

It is one of the plasma cutters that come with an LCD. This display shows you important information that can help you work better.

Performance and Ease of Use
The plasma cutter cuts through metal very quickly and smoothly. You do not have to polish the metal before cutting. This is great, especially if you need to carry out the job quickly. The plasma cutter is versatile equipment, and it comes with a welder as well as the standard cutter. To assist you with cutting safely, it has an easily read air pressure gauge on the front panel.

It can cut up to ½” of steel comfortably due to the dual-voltage input and the 50 amps of output. If you want an affordable plasma cutter while not seriously compromising on quality, then this is the plasma cutter for you.

Other Features
To ensure your safety and the durability of the cutter, it comes with overheat and overvoltage protection. It is one of the safest cutters to use below $500.

4. VIVOHOME 3 In 1 Multi-functional Plasma Cutter

Design
This beast of a cutter comes in a compact, durable design. The metal housing ensures that it remains functional as the years go by. It is not exactly portable as it comes in at 35.3 pounds ( the top-rated Lotos LTP5000D weighs 23 pounds), but it is still portable enough. It comes in a Blue metal casing that makes it look attractive while protecting it from rust.

Performance
The plasma cutter doesn’t come with fancy bells and whistles, but it gets the job done with ruthless efficiency. We didn’t encounter any problems while testing this plasma cutter. It is the type of machine you can bring to a job with full confidence that it will get the job done. It is a non-touch cutter. The ARC torch effectively cuts through different metal surfaces with ease. You do not have to touch the tip with the metal before cutting.

It can cut a maximum thickness of ¾”. We observed that the cooling process of the plasma cutter is faster than many other plasma cutters under $500. As 3-in-1 equipment, it is a DIYer’s dream. It efficiently welds steel, alloys, and other metals. The multi-functionality makes it perfect for home projects.

It is the right equipment for hobbyists, DIYers, and delivers excellent performance no matter what you use it for.

5. SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Air Plasma Cutter

Design
The SungoldPower model comes in a bright blue metal casing that is sure to draw appreciative looks. It is one of the best-looking plasma cutters under $500. It looks more expensive than it actually is. It has an LCD that grants you the ability to see vital information like air pressure. It is easy to clean and maintain. To help you carry it easily, it comes with a curved handle that fits your hand like a glove. It comes at a weight of 23.9 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest plasma cutters on this list.

Performance
It is not a heavy-duty plasma cutter. Hence, it doesn’t deliver as much power as its counterparts. Nevertheless, the power it delivers is sufficient for your basic requirements. It can be used to cut steel sections of up to ¾”. However, to give the best finish, it works superbly with ½” steel sections. The IGBT soft-switch on this plasma cutter ensures the performance is stable.

Other features
It is a safe plasma cutter. It comes with a waterproof shield to protect from electrocution. The cutter also has current regulation and overheating safety measures.

6. Simadre 50a Plasma Cutter

Design
The plasma cutter is quite lightweight and easy to carry around. It weighs 20 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest plasma cutters on this list. To aid its portability, it comes with a shoulder strap. The body is constructed with metal, which makes it very durable. It doesn’t come with a plug, and you will need to get one separately.

It has readily available parts. Thus, you can easily get a replacement. You can also easily attach and detach the parts. When repairs or replacements are required, it is easy to fix it yourself.

Performance and Use
It is in this category the Simadre 50rx 110v/220v 50a Plasma Cutter excels. It delivers satisfactory performance and cuts through most metal surfaces with ease. It works with 110V, but if you want the best performance, it is best to use it with 220V. During use, heat is generated, but the heat is dispersed via the cooling fan that prevents overheating.

With a duty cycle of 100% at 30amps and 60% at 50amps, the performance is quite satisfactory. The only issues we had while testing is that the tips wear out rather quickly. It is not a pilot arc machine, and it requires that you touch the tip to the metal.

7. Lotos LT5000D Plasma Cutter

Design
The Lotos LT5000D is the second Lotos Plasma cutter on this list. It features similar physical appearance and design as the Lotos LTP5000D. It comes in a portable and compact design, even more so than the number 1 cutter on this list. While the Lotos LTP5000D weighs 23 pounds, the LT5000D weighs 22.5 pounds. This makes it fractionally lighter and more comfortable to carry about. It has a handle at the top that assists with moving it about.

Performance
A major difference between the LT5000D and the LTP5000D is the lack of a pilot arc function. Hence, this plasma cutter requires you to touch the tip to the metal to be cut. Nevertheless, it cuts metal fairly easily. It is a 50A dual voltage plasma cutter that delivers reliable cutting performance. It is suitable for different materials from stainless steel to mild steel, alloys, and other metals.

The low profile torch of this cutter makes it a great choice for tight spaces. The MOSFET transistors produce high energy yield to help cut thick metal. Using this plasma cutter provides quite clean cuts and makes your work easier.

Other Features
The plasma cutter uses switch power inverter technology. This technology reduces the size of the transformer and improves the cutter’s efficiency by up to 30%.

8. SUNCOO Cut-50 Plasma Cutter

Design
The Suncoo plasma cutter is made from heavy-duty iron. Thus, despite falls or knocks, it remains functional. It is quite durable and will deliver consistent performance for a long time. Despite the sturdy construction, Suncoo still manages to make this plasma cutter stylish. The solid black edges on the equipment protect its panels. The front panel has an LCD. The front panel displays an easy to read air-pressure gauge as well. It weighs 25.4 pounds, which isn’t the lightest on this list but still qualifies it as a lightweight option.

Performance
The plasma cutter gives a really smooth finish and can cut through different materials. During our testing, it cut through copper, iron, and various alloys with ease. It can cut through ½” with ease.

If you check out the various reviews of those who have used this plasma cutter, many of them praise the very clean cuts it delivers. We can also testify to the truthfulness of these reports. For folks that want their cuts to be as clean as possible, this plasma cutter offers a great option.

Other Features
The plasma cutter comes with in-built overheating protection and over-voltage protection.

Furthermore, during operation, it easily switches between 110 V to 220 V input power. Therefore, if you want to use it on the spot without risking your safety, it presents a safe option.

9. Goplus Plasma Cutter Cut-50

Design
The Plasma cutter is made of high-quality materials to ensure durability. It is packaged with a wire and mask to ensure safety and enhance convenience. The plasma cutter has a comfortable, curved handle to enable you to carry it around with ease. The iron body is firm and durable. It comes at a comfortable weight that allows you to carry it about.

Performance
The price is low; hence, you might think its performance will suffer. However, during testing, the performance of this plasma cutter exceeded any expectations that we had. It is so reliable and satisfactory. It easily cuts through a variety of metals. It is a good choice for your next DIY project. Although it isn’t exactly meant for industrial use, it still delivers decent performance when called upon for such applications. The instructions on how to assemble and use the cutter are clear and simple to follow.

Other Features
It is one of the rare waterproof plasma cutters in this price range. If you want to cut in an uncovered area or outdoors, the waterproof protection makes it possible.

10. Lotos LT3500 35Amp Air Plasma Cutter

Design
This is the lightest plasma cutter on this list. It weighs a mere 18 pounds. This makes it very easy to lug around to small project sites. It has a brown metal covering that is easy to clean. This metal covering makes it quite durable. It comes in a compact size and is the smallest plasma cutter on this list of the best plasma cutters under $500.

Performance and Features
This plasma cutter is capable of cutting through 10 mm metal surfaces with ease. It has an air filter and gauge that works in sync with the air compressor. It is one of the easiest plasma cutters to install. It features a type D plug that allows for quick connection to the air compressor.

During testing, we observed that the plasma cutter easily cut through different metal surfaces. The performance is quite impressive considering the price it comes at. Unlike the other Lotos equipment on this list, it has a single input voltage of 110V.

Nevertheless, this is a small price to pay for a plasma cutter that comes at such a low price. If you are looking for something portable, lightweight, and cheap for your small projects, the Lotos LT3500 is the ideal choice.